Convertible pedestal steering apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for converting tiller steering of a boat to pedestal steering thereof and vice versa wherein said boat includes a rudder post extending generally upwardly from the deck thereof. A flange may be secured to the deck in a manner having the rudder post extending upwardly therethrough. A pedestal is removably secured to the flange and includes a lower drive shaft fixedly secured to both the rudder post and an upper main drive shaft. Universal joints may be associated with each shaft. The main drive shaft is rotatable about its vertical longitudinal axis within a gear box disposed at the top of the pedestal and includes a gear keyed for rotation therewith. A wheel shaft extends through aligned slotted apertures in the pedestal with both ends extending out of the pedestal and includes a worm gear keyed for rotation therewith and in meshing engagement with the first-mentioned gear. A wheel is removed secured to one end of the wheel shaft and keyed for rotation thereto.

. Evans United States: Patent L I m 3,815,537

1 1 CONVERTIBLE PEDESTAL STEERING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Arthur G. Evans, 1609 3rd St.,

Manhatten Beach, Calif. 90266 [22] Filed: July 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 378,769

[52] US. Cl 114/144 R [51] Int. Cl B63h 25/00 [58] Field of Search 114/144 R, 154, 39, 155,

Primary Examiner--Trygve M. Blix Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Miketta, Glenny, Poms &

Smith [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus for converting tiller steering of a boat to pedestal steering thereof and vice versa wherein said boat includes a rudder post extending generally upwardly from the deck thereof. A flange may be secured to the deck in a manner having the rudder post extending upwardly therethrough. A pedestal is removably secured to the flange and includes a lower drive shaft fixedly secured to both the rudder post and an upper main drive shaft. Universal joints may be associated with each shaft. The main drive shaft is rotatable about its vertical longitudinal axis within a gear box disposed at the top of the pedestal and includes a gear keyed for rotation therewith. A wheel shaft ex- 7 v tends through aligned slotted apertures in the pedestal with both ends extending out of the pedestal and includes a worm gear keyed for rotation therewith-and i'n meshing engagement with the first-mentioned gear. A wheel is removed secured to one end of the wheel shaft and keyed for rotation thereto.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUM 1 1 i974 SHEEI 2 [IF 3 FIG.8

PATENTEDJUH 1 1 1974 3.815537 sum 3 BF 3 CONVERTIBLE PEDESTAL STEERING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to steering apparatus for boats or the like; and, more particularly, to convertible pedestal steering apparatus which fits directly over the conventional rudder post of a boat and enables the helmsman to face either fore or aft of the boat while also permitting conversion back to conventional tiller steering, if desired.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many boats employ tiller steering which is ideal for short-course racing. However, for longer races or cruising, wheel steering is much more relaxing and convenient for the helmsman, crew and passengers. Although various prior art arrangements are known which permit use of the conventional rudder post for conversion to wheel steering, no arrangement is known which permits quick and easy conversion back and forth between tiller and wheel steering. Also, no such prior art arrangement is known which permits the helmsman to face either fore or aft of the boat.

Further, other wheel steering devices employ chains and cable orthe like which can break and require periodic adjustment. These devices are also generally extremely expensive and require extensive professional installation and, once installed, the vtiller'cannot be used, if desired. Finally,'such installations are'of a permanent nature and must stay with the boat when transferred to a new owner.

SUMMARY. OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to.provide apparatus for converting tiller steering of a boat to wheel steering thereof, then back to tiller steering, if desired, in a quick and easy manner. g

It is a further object of this invention to provide such apparatus which does not require chains or cables or the like and results in a positive and continuous drive of the boat.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such apparatus which enables the wheel to be mounted quickly and easily facing either forward or aft.

It is even a further object of this invention to provide apparatus which carries out the foregoing objects in a relatively inexpensive manner which does not require extensive installation and can quickly and easily be removed from the boat, if desired.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a flange secured to the deck of the boat in a manner having the rudder post thereof extending upwardly therethrough. A pedestal is removably secured to the flange and includes a lower drive shaft fixedly secured to both the rudder post andan upper main drive shaft. Universal joints may be associated with each shaft. The main drive shaft is rotatable about its vertical longitudinal axis within a gear box disposed at the top of the pedestal and includes a gear keyed for rotation therewith. A wheel shaft extends through aligned slotted apertures in the pedestal with both ends extending out of the pedestal and includes a worm gear keyed for rotation therewith and in meshing engagement with the first-mentioned gear. A wheel is removably securedto one end of the wheel shaft and keyed for rotation thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the deck of a boat having a base plate mounted over the rudder post thereof in accordance with the teachings of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible pedes- .tal steering apparatus of my invention mounted on the base plate of FIG. 1 and having the cover thereof removed for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2 showing the pedestal indicated in dotted lines for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3 prior to assembly thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with the pedestal thereof shown in dotted lines for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the open top of the apparatus of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2; and

- FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing an assembled portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT deck 10 of a boat is shown having the conventional rudutilization of the conventional tiller 12 while permitting installation of a steering wheel as will be discussed further hereinbelow. In the exemplary embodiment, such convertible pedestal steering means, indicated generally at 13, includes a base plate 15 which is bolted or the like, via a pluralityof bolts 16, to deck 10. Plate 15 includes an integral flange collar 17. extending up wardly therefrom welded or the like to plate 15 for receiving the upper end of rudder post 11 therethrough.

It can be seen that flange collar 17 permits the use of tiller 12 yet, afterremoval of tiller 12 by removing the nut and bolt 18, of tiller 12 also permits the installation of the convertible'pedestal steering means 13 as will be discussed further hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 3, after removal of tiller 12, the lower drive shaft 19 of the convertible pedestal steering means 13 is bolted to the upper end of the rudder post 11, using nut and bolt 18, in the same manner as was tiller 12. Lower drive shaft 19 includes a bifurcated portion 20 which receives nut and bolt 18 in suitable apertures therein and receives the upper end of post 11 therebetween. A first post portion 21 extends upwardly from bifurcated portion 20 and includes a bifurcated portion 22 at the upper end thereof. A second post portion 23, having a like bifurcated portion 24, is coupled to first post portion 21 with universal movement therebetween. This is accomplished by making but terminates in an upper shaft portion 28 which may be square in cross-section as shown in FIG. 3. The lower drive shaft 19 is thus attached to the upper drive shaft 29 by means of the square configuration of upper shaft portion 28 snugly fitting into a square spline 30 at the .lower end of upper-shaft portion 28 as shown in FIG. 4. Any suitable keying means may be used. A set bolt 31 may be used to tighten or pinch the spline 30 together to remove any play between the upper and lower drive shafts 19,29.

As shown in FIG. 5, upper drive shaft 29 terminates in a bifurcated portion 32 which matingly receives a like bifurcated portion 33 of main drive shaft 34 in the same manner as afore-mentioned befurcated portions 22, 24. Thus, a second collar member 35, having pins 36, 37 therein, secures portions 32, 33 together in like manner to form a second universal joint.

Braking means may also be provided for the convertible pedestal steering means 13 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Such braking means may include a brake clamp form of a split sleeve 38 encircling shaft 34 and which includes suitable aligned apertures therein for receiving a brake shaft 40 therethrough. Brake shaft 40 terminates in a threaded end 68 for receiving a locking nut 41 thereon. A shoulder 69 is formed between the cylindrical portion 70 of brake shaft 40 and threaded end 68. The free end of shaft 40 is integrally connected to a knurled knob 42 for quickly and easily rotating shaft 40. Thus, by turning knob 42, shoulder 69 abuts against the sides of the flanges 71, 72 of sleeve 38 to close split sleeve 38 and tighten against shaft 34 which prevents rotation thereof (due to the engagement of portion 71 with pedestal 62 will be discussed furtherhereinbelow).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, main drive shaft 34 extends through a bottom plate 43 fixedly secured to a gear box 44 via spaced bolts 45. A conventional floating bearing member 46 is fixedly secured to the bottom wall 44a of gear box 44 between the side walls 44b and 44c of gear box 44 and a gear 47 is keyed for rotation to shaft 34. Gear 47 may be a circular gear as shown or any suitable sector gear. Thus, main drive shaft 34 rotates within bearing member 43 and rotates gear 47. A like bearing member 67 is fixedly secured at the upper end to top plate 48. Gear 47 may be of any suitable dimensions, as for example, a 1% inch diameter hub having spaced teeth thereon.

Gear 47 is adapted to mesh with a worm gear 49 keyed for rotation to a wheel shaft 50 which extends through aligned apertures in side walls 44!) and 44c.

This gear 49 may also be of any suitable dimensions for meshing with gear 47, as for example, about l% inches in overall length and having four spaced gear teeth in accordance with the example previously given. Bearing members 51 and 52 are provided associated with each aperture in side walls 44b and 440 so that shaft 50 may rotate therein. Spacers may be used, if desired, to carry out the foregoing. A knurled cap 53 may be threaded onto one end of shaft 50 (see FIG. 8). The other end of shaft 50 may terminate in a widened collar portion 54 and a wheel 55 may be inserted thereon to abut against collar portion 54. It is to be understood that this end of shaft 50 may terminate in a threaded portion 56 so that a nut 57 or the like maybe threaded thereon to secure wheel when portion 56 extends through an aperture 58in the hub 59 of wheel 55. A keyway (not shown) may be provided at the end of shaft 50 having cap 53 thereon. A like keyway 61 may be provided at the wheel end. The keyway 61 is adapted to be keyed to a spline or the like associated with the aperture 58 of hub 59. In this manner, it can readily be seen that wheel 55 is keyed to shaft 50 and can be quickly and easily mounted on shaft 50 to abut against collar portion 54.

Referring once again to FIG. 2, a generally cylindrical pedestal 62 may enclose the various components of the convertible pedestal steering means, indicated generally at 13. This pedestal 62 encircles the collar 17 of base plate 15 and is secured thereto by suitable spaced bolts 63 or the like. A removable door 64 may be provided along the length of pedestal'62 to provide access to the interior thereof for connecting to spline 30 to shaft 19. The top of pedestal 62 is closed off by a suitable cover 64 secured to pedestal 62 (see FIG. 7). As can be seen in FIG. 2, top plate 48 may also be secured to pedestal 62 by bolt 65. One or more suitable centering screws 66 may also be used to center gear box 44 within pedestal 62. Although a generally specific mechanical arrangement has been disclosed for converting rotation of wheel 55 to movement of rudder post 11, any suitable arrangement of bearings, spacers, nuts, bolts and the like may be used associated with gear box 44. Also, suitable apertures are provided in pedestal 62 for receiving the various components therethrough,

such as wheel shaft 50 and brake shaft 40. The apertures for receiving wheel shaft 50 may be elongated slots 73, 74 so as to enable the worm gear 49 of shaft 50 to be quickly and easily disengaged from gear 47 when cover 64 is removed. I

It can be seen from the foregoing that the pedestal 62 fits directly over rudder post 11 on any boat employing tiller steering. This conversion places the helmsman aft where he can sit or recline and change positions with ease and safety. When flying larger foresails, the aft position usually affords better leeward visibility. The crew can work the boat better because the helmsmanis out of the way.

With the helm aft, passengers are afforded easier access to the cabin and to cockpit seating. Safety is increased since the helmsman has the entire boat in view at all times. e

Conversion may be made between tiller and pedestal in a matter of minutes. Tiller steering is ideal for shortcourse racing, but for longer races or cruises, wheel steering is much more relaxing and convenient for helmsman, crew and passengers. My invention retains the advantages of both.

When the wheel 55' is mounted on shaft 50, the cap 53 is mounted on the free end of shaft 50. If desired, cap 53 may be removed and an automatic pilot device (not shown) may be keyed, via the keyway in shaft 50, thereto. Alternatively, a second wheel 55 may be installed thereon. Also, a compass or the like (also not shown) may be installed at the top of pedestal 62, if desired.

In order to quickly and easily convert wheel 55 between its fore to aft position, it is merely necessary to remove cover 64 and release shaft 50, via slots 73, 74 and reverse the shaft 50 so that wheel 55 carried thereby faces the other direction.

' Conventional stopping means (not shown) may be provided on wheel 55 to prevent it from continuously turning as is well known in the art. Any suitable dimensions may be used for pedestal 62 and wheel 55. For example, wheels to 24 inches in diameter may be used, larger diameter wheels resulting in greater leverage. Pedestal 62 may be about 5 inches to 6 inches in diameter andabout 2% feet in overall height.

The upper and lower universal joints associated with lower and upper drive shafts 19, 29 permit any angle of thrust between rudder post 11 and gear box 44.

The worm and sector gear arrangement disclosed hereinabove may vary accordingly. For example, a standard ratio of 521 has been described as one example of a suitable gearing means. This yields approximately the same pressure as is presently on the conventional boat tiller when used with a wheel 55 of 20 inch diameter. This ratio yields two turns lock-to-lock and means the helmsman can tack with about A of a turn. For particularly hard-steering boats, other gear ratios, such as 7.511 and 10:1, may be used which would result in three and four turns lock-to-lock, respectively.

The knob 42 may be rotated to selectively tighten sleeve 38 accordingly. This acts as a brake on the main drive shaft 34 and allows some degree of self-steering. This braking means may also be utilized when the boat is at anchor to hold the rudder over. Thus, if desired, the braking means may be utilized to maintain a course for a considerable length of time without touching wheel 55.

It can be seen from the foregoing that I have described convertible pedestal steering apparatus which can be quickly and easily mounted directly over the rudder post of boats employing tiller steering. In addition to retaining the ability to quickly reconvert back to tiller steering, the wheel of the pedestal steering apparatus can be quickly and easily mountedin either a fore or aft position. Thus, wheel 55 may be used for cruising and the conventional tiller may be used for racing, all in the manner described hereinabove. Of course, wheel 55 may be mounted in either the fore or aft position for either cruising or racing. As discussed above, when cruising, the helmsman wants to sit in back so there is more room inthe cockpit for guests. When racing, he desires the wheel 55 to be facing for ward so his weight is off the stern of the boat which would make it go slower.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for converting tiller, steering of a boat to pedestal steering thereof and vice versa wherein said boat includes a rudder post extending generally upwardly from the deck thereof, said apparatus comprising:

a flange secured to said deck encircling said rudder post with said rudder post extending upwardly therethrough;

a pedestal removably secured to said flange extend ing generally vertically upwardly therefrom;

a lower drive shaft disposed within said pedestal, said lower drive shaft having a first lower portion removably secured at one end to said rubber post and connected at its other end to a second upper portion and a universal joint interconnecting said first and second portions;

an upper drive shaft disposed within said pedestal having a first lower portion removably secured to the second upper portion of said lower drive shaft 6 and a second upper portion connected thereto, and a universal joint interconnecting the first and second portions of said upper drive shaft:

a gear box disposed within the upper end of said pedestal, said gear box having bearing means therein for receiving said upper portion of said upper drive shaft therethrough, said upper drive shaft being rotatable about its generally vertical longitudinal axis within said bearing means;

a first gear keyed for rotation to the upper portion of said upper drive shaft disposed within said gear box and having teeth thereon extending radially outwardly in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said upper drive shaft;

an elongated wheel shaft extending through aligned apertures in the upper end of said pedestal in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said upper drive shaft, both ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures;

a worm gear keyed for rotation with said wheel shaft meshingly engaging the teeth of said firstmentioned gear; and

a wheel removably secured to one of the ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures and keyed for rotation to said wheel shaft.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pedestal is generally cylindrical and open at each end and a cover closes off the upper end thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper portion of'said lower drive shaft is irregularly shaped in internal cross-section in the same configuration as said upper portion of said lower drive shaft for receiving said upper portion of said lower drive shaft therein in a non-rotative manner, and a set bolt extending through said spline for pinching said spline together to thereby retain said upper portion of said lower drive shaft within said spline in a fixed relationship.

' 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said pedestal includes a selectively opening and closing door therein aligned with said set bolt for providing access thereto.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wheel shaft is threaded at least at one end thereof, and said wheel shaft further includes a keyway at said threaded end, said wheel including a hub having a hub aperture therein with means associated therewith for keying said hub to the keyway at the threaded end of said wheel shaft, and a nut removably threaded onto the threaded end of said wheel shaft extending out of the hub of said wheel when said wheel is mounted thereon.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the other end of said shaft is also threaded and includes a keyway therein.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including braking means extending out of said pedestal and into engagement with the upper portion of said upper drive shaft for selectively locking said upper drive shaft in a nonrotating position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ratio between the teeth of said first-mentioned gear and said a pedestal adapted to be removably secured to said flange;

a lower drive shaft disposed within said pedestal, said lower drive shaft having a first lower portion adapted to be removably secured at one end to said rudder post and connected at its other end to a second upper portion and a universal joint interconnecting said first and second portions;

an upper drive shaft disposed within said pedestal having a first lower portion removably secured to the second upper portion of said lower drive shaft and a second upper portion connected thereto and a'universal joint interconnecting the upper portion of said upper drive shaft to said main drive shaft;

a main drive shaft fixedly connected to the upper portion of said upper drive shaft;

a gear box disposed within the upper end of said pedestal, said gear box having bearing means therein for receiving said main drive shaft therethrough, said main drive shaft being rotatable about its generally vertical longitudinal axis within said bearing means;

a first gear keyed for rotation to said main drive shaft disposed within said ,gear box and having teeth thereon extending radiallyoutwardlyin a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said main drive shaft;

an elongated wheel shaft extending through aligned apertures in the upper end of said pedestal in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said main drive shaft, both ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures;

a worm gear keyed for rotation with said wheel shaft meshingly engaging the teeth of said firstmentioned gear; and

a wheel removably secured to one of theends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures and keyed for rotation to said wheel shaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said wheel shaft is threaded at least at one end thereof, and said wheel shaft further includes a keyway at said threaded end. said wheel including a hub having a hub aperture therein with means associated therewith for keying said hub to the keyway at the threaded end of said wheel shaft, and a nut removably threaded onto the threaded end of said wheel shaft extending out of the hub of said wheel when said wheel is mounted thereon. 

1. Apparatus for converting tiller steering of a boat to pedestal steering thereof and vice versa wherein said boat includes a rudder post extending generally upwardly from the deck thereof, said apparatus comprising: a flange secured to said deck encircling said rudder post with said rudder post extending upwardly therethrough; a pedestal removably secured to said flange extending generally vertically upwardly therefrom; a lower drive shaft disposed within said pedestal, said lower drive shaft having a first lower portion removably secured at one end to said rubber post and connected at its other end to a second upper portion and a universal joint interconnecting said first and second portions; an upper drive shaft disposed within said pedestal having a first lower portion removably secured to the second upper portion of said lower drive shaft and a second upper portion connected thereto, and a universal joint interconnecting the first and second portions of said upper drive shaft; a gear box disposed within the upper end of said pedestal, said gear box having bearing means therein for receiving said upper portion of said upper drive shaft therethrough, said upper drive shaft being rotatable about its generally vertical longitudinal axis within said bearing means; a first gear keyed for rotation to the upper portion of said upper drive shaft disposed within said gear box and having teeth thereon extending radially outwardly in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said upper drive shaft; an elongated wheel shaft extending through aligned apertures in the upper end of said pedestal in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said upper drive shaft, both ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures; a worm gear keyed for rotation with said wheel shaft meshingly engaging the teeth of said first-mentioned gear; and a wheel removably secured to one of the ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures and keyed for rotation to said wheel shaft.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pedestal is generally cylindrical and open at each end and a cover closes off the upper end thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper portion of said lower drive shaft is irregularly shaped in internal cross-section in the same configuration as said upper portion of said lower drive shaft for receiving said upper portion of said lower drive shaft therein in a non-rotative manner, and a set bolt extending through said spline for pinching said spline together to thereby retain said upper portion of said lower drive shaft within said spline in a fixed relationship.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said pedestal includes a seLectively opening and closing door therein aligned with said set bolt for providing access thereto.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wheel shaft is threaded at least at one end thereof, and said wheel shaft further includes a keyway at said threaded end, said wheel including a hub having a hub aperture therein with means associated therewith for keying said hub to the keyway at the threaded end of said wheel shaft, and a nut removably threaded onto the threaded end of said wheel shaft extending out of the hub of said wheel when said wheel is mounted thereon.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the other end of said shaft is also threaded and includes a keyway therein.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 including braking means extending out of said pedestal and into engagement with the upper portion of said upper drive shaft for selectively locking said upper drive shaft in a non-rotating position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ratio between the teeth of said first-mentioned gear and said worm gear is 5:1.
 9. A device for converting tiller steering of a boat to pedestal steering thereof wherein said boat includes a rudder post extending generally upwardly through a flange mounted on the deck of said boat, said device comprising: a pedestal adapted to be removably secured to said flange; a lower drive shaft disposed within said pedestal, said lower drive shaft having a first lower portion adapted to be removably secured at one end to said rudder post and connected at its other end to a second upper portion and a universal joint interconnecting said first and second portions; an upper drive shaft disposed within said pedestal having a first lower portion removably secured to the second upper portion of said lower drive shaft and a second upper portion connected thereto and a universal joint interconnecting the upper portion of said upper drive shaft to said main drive shaft; a main drive shaft fixedly connected to the upper portion of said upper drive shaft; a gear box disposed within the upper end of said pedestal, said gear box having bearing means therein for receiving said main drive shaft therethrough, said main drive shaft being rotatable about its generally vertical longitudinal axis within said bearing means; a first gear keyed for rotation to said main drive shaft disposed within said gear box and having teeth thereon extending radially outwardly in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said main drive shaft; an elongated wheel shaft extending through aligned apertures in the upper end of said pedestal in a direction generally normal to the axis of rotation of said main drive shaft, both ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures; a worm gear keyed for rotation with said wheel shaft meshingly engaging the teeth of said first-mentioned gear; and a wheel removably secured to one of the ends of said wheel shaft extending out of said apertures and keyed for rotation to said wheel shaft.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said wheel shaft is threaded at least at one end thereof, and said wheel shaft further includes a keyway at said threaded end, said wheel including a hub having a hub aperture therein with means associated therewith for keying said hub to the keyway at the threaded end of said wheel shaft, and a nut removably threaded onto the threaded end of said wheel shaft extending out of the hub of said wheel when said wheel is mounted thereon. 